the decline is due to the slowdown of the global economy, stemming from the european debt crisis. the country's rising labor costs also reduced the merits of setting up factories there. another factor, the sluggish pace of investments from japan. bilateral relations soured over the disputed islands in the east china sea. analysts say china needs to improve investment environment to boost foreign capital, which the country's leaders believe is indispensable for stable economic growth. >>> japan's two major oil firms together with a state-backed bank, will set up a joint company to run large scale power generation or mega solar facilities. executives of cosmo oil, showa shell sekiyu and development bank of japan group will create the new company at the end of the month. each of the three entities will invest in the eight mega facilities nationwide. they hope to begin solar-powered generation by the end of the year. the new facilities will have a capacity of generating a total of 26 mega watts, enough to supply 7,000 households.watts, supply 7,000 households. the generator power will